Fire prevention sprinkler with wrench boss detent and clip, and method of manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A fire protection sprinkler is provided, including a body having an output orifice, a closure element or seal cap to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice, and a thermally-responsive element positioned to releasably retain the seal cap. A clip, having a first portion and a second portion, is provided, the first portion being engaged with the closure element, and the second portion being in contact with the sprinkler body such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis and moves away from the sprinkler body to permit flow of fluid from the output orifice. In particular, the portion of the sprinkler body which the clip contacts is a detent provided on the wrench boss of the sprinkler.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/054,190, filed Sep. 23, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein, as are the contents of all other documents referred to in this specification (in the versions of those documents current as of Sep. 23, 2015).

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a mechanism for a fire protection sprinkler and to a method of assembling such sprinkler. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sprinkler comprising a wrench-boss detent and a cooperating clip that provide reliable action and may facilitate assembly of the sprinkler.

Fire protection sprinklers conventionally are connected to a conduit of pressurized fire-extinguishing fluid, such as water. A typical sprinkler has a base with a threaded portion for connection to the conduit to receive the fluid and an output orifice to output the fluid to provide fire control and/or suppression. The output orifice is sealed by a seal cap, which is held in place by a release mechanism. The release mechanism is designed to release the cap under predetermined conditions, thereby initiating the flow of fire-extinguishing fluid. A typical release mechanism includes a latching mechanism and a thermally-responsive element, e.g., a frangible bulb or a fusible link.

Certain conventional sprinklers have a pair of arms that extend from the base portion and meet at a hub portion to form a frame that supports a deflector plate provided to direct the water in the desired directions. Others have the arms supporting a deflector plate directly, without meeting in a hub. A set-screw or similar arrangement is provided to apply a pre-tension force to the latching mechanism.

A sprinkler may be listed to comply with UL 199, Standard for Safety for Automatic Sprinklers for Fire-Protection Service (UL 199); UL 1626, Standard for Safety for Residential Sprinkler for Fire-Protection Service (UL 1626); or UL 1767, Standard for Safety for Early-Suppression Fast-Response Sprinklers (UL 1767). UL 199, UL 1626, and UL 1767 include operation lodgment tests to verify that parts released from a sprinkler upon operation, such as the cap, “ . . . clear the sprinkler frame and deflector to not impair the water distribution pattern . . . ” (UL 199, p. 40F). Certain conventional sprinklers have arms, a hub, or a deflector that are designed to allow the cap to release from the sprinkler upon operation without impairing water distribution. Certain other conventional sprinklers use an ejection spring to urge the cap away from the sprinkler upon operation, such as in U.S. Pat. No. RE45,377.

A sprinkler may be mounted on a fluid conduit running along a ceiling and may either extend upward from the conduit, which is referred to as an “upright” configuration, or depend downward from the conduit, which is referred to as a “pendent” configuration, or may be mounted on a wall, a certain distance below the ceiling, which is referred to as a “horizontal sidewall” configuration. Other configurations exist, in which the sprinkler is oriented horizontally.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the present invention may be a fire protection sprinkler, including a body having an output orifice, a closure element or seal cap to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice, and a thermally-responsive element positioned to releasably retain the seal cap. A clip, having a first portion and a second portion, is provided, the first portion being engaged with the closure element, and the second portion being in contact with the sprinkler body such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis and moves away from the sprinkler body to permit flow of fluid from the output orifice. In particular, the portion of the sprinkler body which the clip contacts is a detent provided on the wrench boss of the sprinkler.

In various embodiments, the first portion of the clip may engage the closure element resiliently, and may comprise first and second arms extending around and engaging at least a portion of the closure element. The arms may each extend around at least 90 degrees, and up to 180 degrees, of the closure element. Again, the second portion of the clip may extend in a first direction from the first portion, and then in a second direction that is generally oblique to the first direction, and may for example be shaped to wrap around and the element of the sprinkler body that it contacts. In particular, points of contact between the second portion of the clip and the sprinkler body may define the predetermined axis around which the closure element rotates upon actuation, and most particularly may define the axis by lying on the axis.

Also, in various embodiments, the first portion of the clip may lie generally in a first plane, with the second portion of the clip extending away from that plane. The first portion of the clip may form a ring, or a portion of a ring, and in particular may be shaped to define a fork that fits around a portion of the closure element. If the ring configuration is used, a portion of the circumference of the ring may have a portion shaped as a straight line along a chord of the ring. The second portion may be located diametrically opposite such chord, and the first portion may in addition to the ring (or fork) itself have a third portion in which the arms forming the ring or fork extend parallel to each other, the space between them providing resilience to the clip. The clip may be made of an inherently resilient material as well.

Other embodiments may be the closure element itself, and may have a closure element body to seal a flow of fluid from an output orifice of the fire protection sprinkler, and a clip, having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being engaged with the closure element body, and the second portion being configured to contact a portion of the fire protection sprinkler such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis and moves away from the output orifice to permit flow of fluid from the output orifice. In various embodiments, including at least some of those described above, the clip is structured and is engaged with the sprinkler body in such a manner that the clip in moving out of the way of the extinguishing fluid moves in the same manner as a clapper and hinge pin arrangement. In various embodiments, again including at least some of those described above, the structure of the clip and the manner of its engagement with the sprinkler body are such that the same clip structure, and the same manner of engagement with the sprinkler body, can be used with sprinklers of greatly varying sizes, with (for example) K-factors of as little as 2.0 gpm/(psi)^(1/2) and as great as 50.0 gpm/(psi)^(1/2) or more.

Other aspects may include a method of assembly for a fire protection sprinkler, comprising providing a sprinkler body having an output orifice, a closure element to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice, and a clip, having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being resilient and being shaped to engage with the closure element, and the second portion being configured to contact the sprinkler body such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis and moves away from the sprinkler body to permit flow of fluid therefrom, and attaching the clip to the closure element by resiliently fitting the clip to the closure element, and placing the closure element to seal the output orifice.

Further features and advantages, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments herein, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings claimed and/or described herein are further described in terms of example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are non-limiting example embodiments, in which like reference numerals represent similar structures throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of an upright fire protection sprinkler according to one example embodiment described herein, and FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of that embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view partially in section of the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing certain details of that embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 7 show views of a fork clip according to an example embodiment described herein, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show views of a ring clip according to another example embodiment described herein.

Any reference numeral that appears in different figures represents the same element in those figures, even if that element is not described separately with respect to each figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an upright sprinkler 100, in accordance with an example embodiment, having a cylindrical body 110 defining an axial fluid passage. The body 110 has an input orifice 111 at an input end thereof to receive pressurized fire-extinguishing fluid, such as water, from a conduit (not shown). The body also has an output orifice 112 at an output end thereof. The sprinkler shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an upright sprinkler, designed to extend upward from a conduit running along a ceiling, but the closure element 113 about to be described also may be used in other sprinkler configurations, such as pendent and sidewall sprinklers, and the invention is not limited to upright sprinklers.

A threaded connection portion 115 is provided at the input end of the sprinkler to allow the sprinkler to be connected to the conduit for providing the fluid to the fluid passage. A wrench boss 120, which is a circumferential portion with flat edges to be gripped by a wrench, e.g., a square or hexagonally-shaped protrusion, facilitates the connection of the sprinkler to the supply conduit using a wrench or similar tool. The wrench boss 120 preferably is positioned just above the connection portion.

The output orifice 112 is sealed by a closure element or seal cap 113 (the seal cap may be surrounded by a ring-shaped spring washer 125). Two frame arms 130 extend from the output end and meet at a hub 135 positioned in axial alignment with the output orifice 112. A release mechanism, such as a fusible link assembly, is positioned between the hub 135 and the seal cap 125 to hold the seal cap in place over the output orifice 112.

A deflector 140 is positioned on the hub 135, so as to be impinged by the output fluid upon activation of the sprinkler and to direct the water in the downward direction, toward the area being protected below the sprinkler. The deflector 140 in this particular embodiment is a conical disk that is centered on and orthogonal to the axis of the fluid passage, with the concave side facing the output orifice 112. The disk has a number of teeth 141 of varying length and shape arrayed around its periphery.

Whereas a conventional sprinkler would be provided with a kick spring to assist in clearing portions of the actuation mechanism from the path of the water once the actuation mechanism has served its purpose, the illustrated embodiments utilize a clip 150 that has been found to perform such functions particularly well. Getting the sprinkler operating elements to clear the frame and deflector without getting caught is a major source of frustration for sprinkler manufacturers. The present inventor has provided what promises to be a significant advance and/or simplification in this regard, as described in what follows.

In preferred embodiments as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the closure element 113 is provided with a clip 150 which provides a temporary attachment to the sprinkler body 110, but which, when the sprinkler is actuated, permits the closure element and clip to rotate speedily out of the way of the fluid flow from the sprinkler. The clip in some embodiments is formed with a first portion 151 shaped in a ring that lies in a first plane (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A second portion 152, which resembles a bent tab, extends away from the ring and is bent out of the first plane, and serves to engage the sprinkler body as described below. A third portion 153 of the clip joins the first and second portions.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ring is largely of uniform width (meaning the distance from the outer 158 to the inner 157 periphery of the ring), except for the presence of radiused shoulders where the ring joins the third portion of the clip, and except for the section of the ring opposite the third portion is formed with a non-uniform width, with the inner periphery of the ring being formed along a chord of the circle formed by the ring.

The third portion of the clip may itself be formed as extensions of the arms of the ring itself, which extend parallel to each other away from the ring. A space 155 left between these two extensions increases the resilience of the clip.

The second portion may, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, have the form of a tab 160 extending from the third portion 152 of the clip 150, and bent out of the plane of the ring, to form a handle- or hook-shaped portion. The bending is done to give the handle or hook portion a circular cross-section, with a uniform radius. As seen in the cross-sectional views of the clip, for example, in FIG. 6, the curved handle or hook portion subtends in cross-section an arc of generally over 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, and preferably about 120 to 160 degrees, and most preferably about 145 degrees. The clip's “hook” is preferably uniformly radiused, but this is not strictly necessary, and a varying radius may be used, as may a configuration with a bend in the “hook”.

As can be seen most easily in the partial cross-sectional view of the sprinkler body in FIG. 3 with the closure element in place, the closure element 113 has a body portion that is located in the outlet orifice of the sprinkler. The body of the closure element 113 has upper and lower ends that are relatively large in diameter (the relative terms “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience, and refer to the orientation of the closure element in place in an upright sprinkler). A narrower middle section is between the ends, and a resilient disk, such as a Belleville washer, is secured to the closure element body in that narrow middle portion. The Belleville washer has a larger diameter than the outlet orifice, and is seated on a shoulder or seat formed in the sprinkler body at the outlet orifice for that purpose.

Also secured to the narrow middle part of the closure element is the clip 150. The ring (151) of the clip 150 is fitted over the end of the closure element that is farther from the outlet orifice, and the handle or hook portion 160 (the “second” portion 152) extends radially outward over the edge of the wrench boss 120 and into a cavity 121 formed in the wrench boss 120. In the embodiment shown, the handle or hook portion 160 of the clip 150 actually contacts the wrench boss along a line that is approximately at the upper edge of the cavity.

When the sprinkler is in place in an occupancy to be protected against fire, the closure element is pressed into the outlet orifice with a sufficient force by a set screw to keep the orifice closed, and to prevent water flow from the sprinkler. Upon actuation, the thermally responsive element fuses or breaks, for example, in response to the heat condition causing actuation, and removes the compressive load that has held the closure element firmly against the outlet orifice. The closure element is then urged away from the orifice, by the spring force of the Belleville washer, and of course by the force of the water itself. In the illustrated embodiments the closure element, due to the presence of the clip, rotates about an axis determined by the line along which the handle portion of the clip contacts the wrench boss detent 121, thus moving quickly and cleanly out of the path of the water, and then simply falls away from the sprinkler, since the clip is not permanently attached to the sprinkler.

Another example embodiment of a clip (clip 250) is shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, and differs from the first in having as its first portion 251 two arms 255 that extend from the third portion 253, but that do not form a complete ring. In this fork clip embodiment, the portion of the ring that is “missing” (portion 270) may preferably be from 90 degrees up to about 130 degrees, and most preferably about 120 degrees. This structure has the further advantage that the open-arm construction permits the first portion of the clip to be snapped in place on the closure element body, for example after the fully-assembled sprinkler has passed the test for leakage. (By contrast, the ring clip is assembled—sandwiched between the seal washer and the cap—and is then hinged onto the output orifice.) The sprinkler incorporating this fork clip functions in the same manner as described above in connection with the ring clip embodiment.

The clip can be made of stainless steel or other metals; nonetheless, other materials may be suitable, and are not excluded from the scope of the invention. Also, while only an upright-sprinkler implementation is shown, aspects of the invention are applicable to pendent and horizontal sidewall sprinkler configurations as well. Again, it is believed that the present disclosure is applicable to fire prevention sprinklers of substantially any size, for example, having a K-factor from 2 gpm/(psi)^(1/2) to 50 gpm/(psi)^(1/2) or more.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In addition, it should be understood that the attached drawings, which help to explain functionality described herein, are presented as illustrative examples. The architecture of the present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it can be utilized and navigated in ways other than shown in the drawings.

Moreover, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and public generally, and especially scientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s), who are not familiar with patent or legal terms and/or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical subject matter disclosed herein. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It is also to be understood that the procedures recited in the claims need not be performed in the order presented. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire protection sprinkler, comprising: a sprinkler body having an output orifice; a closure element to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice; a thermally-responsive element positioned to releasably retain the seal cap; and a clip, having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being engaged with said closure element, and said second portion being in contact with said sprinkler body such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, said closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis, the pre-determined axis passing through two points of contact between said second portion and said sprinkler body, and moves away from said sprinkler body to permit flow of fluid from said output orifice.
 2. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said clip engages said closure element resiliently.
 3. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said clip comprises first and second arms extending around and engaging at least a portion of said closure element.
 4. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 3, wherein said first and second arms each extend around at least 110 degrees, and up to 180 degrees, of said portion of said closure element.
 5. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said second portion of said clip extends in a first direction from said first portion, and then in a second direction generally oblique to said first direction, to engage an element of said sprinkler body.
 6. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 5, wherein said second portion of said clip is shaped to wrap around and contact said element of said sprinkler body.
 7. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said clip lies generally in a first plane, and said second portion of said clip extends away from said first plane.
 8. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said clip forms a ring.
 9. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said clip is shaped as a fork.
 10. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 8, wherein said ring has a first width about at least a portion of its circumference, and has a second, greater width in a second portion of its circumference, an inner periphery of said ring being substantially a straight line in said second portion of the circumference.
 11. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said sprinkler body comprises a wrench boss, and wherein said wrench boss is said element of said sprinkler body which said clip contacts.
 12. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 11, wherein said wrench boss has a cavity provided in one surface to serve as a detent, and wherein said clip engages said cavity.
 13. The fire protection sprinkler of claim 12, wherein said cavity in said wrench boss is recessed toward said output orifice to assure that said second portion of said clip does not protrude past said one surface of said wrench boss.
 14. A closure element for a fire protection sprinkler, comprising: a closure element body to seal a flow of fluid from an output orifice of the fire protection sprinkler; and a clip, having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being engaged with said closure element body, and said second portion being configured to contact a portion of the fire protection sprinkler such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, said closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis, the pre-determined axis passing through two points of contact between said second portion and said sprinkler body, and moves away from the output orifice to permit flow of fluid from said output orifice.
 15. A method of assembly for fire protection sprinkler, comprising: providing a sprinkler body having an output orifice; providing a closure element to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice; providing a clip, having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being resilient and being shaped to engage with the closure element, and the second portion being configured to contact the sprinkler body such that upon actuation of the fire protection sprinkler, the closure element rotates about a pre-determined axis, the pre-determined axis passing through two points of contact between said second portion and said sprinkler body, and moves away from the sprinkler body to permit flow of fluid therefrom; and attaching the clip to the closure element by resiliently fitting the clip to the closure element, and placing the closure element to seal the output orifice.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said attaching step comprises attaching the clip to the closure element of the fire prevention sprinkler after the fire prevention sprinkler is fully assembled and has passed a hydrostatic test.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said attaching step comprises attaching the clip to the closure element of the fire prevention sprinkler after the fully-assembled fire prevention sprinkler has passed a hydrostatic test. 